Australian extra virgin olive oil producers gathered in Canberra this week for the results of the largest and most prestigious awards event in the industry’s calendar – the Australian Olive Association’s 13th National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards Show.

Eight gold medal oils have been selected from over 200 entries, which were scrutinised in an intense two-day judging process by 27 olive oil experts, with Best Oil of Show going to Cobram Estate.

Chairman of the judging, olive oil and wine consultant, tester and blender Richard Gawel, was astounded at the number of entries.

“We had more entries this year than any previous year,”he advised. “More from the smaller boutique growers – in fact, the panels of judges had about 15 oils each to judge in the classes for smaller producers – quite a task! In the larger more commercial oil categories, there were fewer oils, but the quality was excellent nonetheless.”

“A pleasing thing from the consumer’s point of view is that the best oils represented the entire range of styles – from sweet and gentle to intense and robust. There were also oils that were grassy and herbaceous through to big, rich, ripe, fruity types. This shows that Australian producers are not afraid to tailor oils to meet the diverse culinary needs of their customers, something that is important given the range of flavours that have influenced Australian cuisine.”

The winning oil, Cobram Estate Hojiblanca, was recognised for outstanding quality and excellence in a competitive field. In doing so the oil was awarded the shows highest score of 18 out of a possible 20 points.

“We are incredibly excited to win these distinguished awards,” Leandro Ravetti, Executive Director of Boundary Bend, the parent company of Cobram Estate, said. “It is recognition of Cobram Estate’s dedication and commitment to quality and excellence in the growing, harvesting and production of EVOOs.”

13th National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Show 2009 winners:

Best of Class 1, Single Estate Grown (Min 200 L) Awarded to Ian Oatley, Wooloomooloo Olives for Wooloomooloo Olives Koroneiki Late Harvest

Best of Class 2, Multi Estate Grown, (200-4,999 L) Awarded to Ashley Read, Cobram Estate for Cobram Estate Hojiblanca

Best of Class 3, Multi Estate Grown, (Greater than 5,000 L), Awarded to
Sam Trovatello, Kyneton Olive Oil for Gourmet Blend, Leccino, Mission

Best of Class 4, Non Packaged (Min 200 L), Awarded to Paul Challis, Redisland Marketing Pty Ltd for Redisland Picual

Best of Class 5, Micro Volume (50-199 L), Awarded to Carol O’Neil, Cradle Coast Olives for Essence of the Cradle S.A. Verdale

Best of Class 6, Flavoured Oils – Citrus (Min 50L), Awarded to John Higgins, Channeyridge Pty Ltd for Channeyridge Mandarin

Best of Class 6B, Flavoured Oils Non-Citrus Flavours (Min 50 L), Awarded to Peter & Caroline O’Clery, Homeleigh Grove for Homeleigh Grove Lemon Myrtle Infused
Carol L’Heureux Award For Best Oil of Show Awarded to Ashley Read, Cobram Estate for Cobram Estate Hojiblanca

Share